Board weighs repairs, future improvements
VERMILION — Aging waterfront facilities are driving up maintenance costs and reducing the Vermilion Port Authority’s financial cushion as officials weigh repairs and future improvements.
At its Sept. 10 meeting, the board discussed deteriorating boardwalk supports, growing upkeep expenses and a possible role in improvements near Exchange Street, according to meeting minutes.
Assistant operations manager Bill Yancar estimated the authority’s projected year-end carryover, money remaining to bring into the following year, at about $47,000 to $48,000. He compared that with roughly $100,000 in earlier years.
The estimate includes known and projected expenses and could change once the city catches up with its financial reporting, Yancar said.
Expenses include an upcoming grant match of about $15,000, approximately $7,000 in dock repairs, $5,000 for South Street parking lot lights, parking lot repairs and kiosk work. Higher labor costs associated with a staff transition also contributed.
Vice Chairman David Miklos questioned whether the rising expenses were temporary or part of a longer trend.
Yancar attributed the trend to aging facilities and increasingly demanding maintenance. He cited corroded shower fixtures, deteriorating tile and grout, and a recurring drainage problem in the women’s restroom at McGarvey’s Landing.
Staff suggested revisiting the authority’s 20-year capital plan to help guide future spending. They also discussed pursuing more grants and offering sponsorship plaques on new docks to generate revenue.
Boardwalk supports deteriorating
Operations manager Marty Sekeres reported that several sections of the Water Works Marina boardwalk are sinking because the supports beneath the hardwood decking are rotting.
Yancar said some screws could no longer be tightened because the material underneath had deteriorated.
Staff proposed lifting sections after the seasonal docks are removed to determine the extent of the damage. Board members discussed reusing the decking while replacing its supports and examining water lines and other utilities underneath.
No repair cost or construction schedule was established.
Separately, staff patched an uneven transition between asphalt and concrete where customers had slipped.
New docks funded through a grant were expected near the end of September. Sekeres said galvanizing the components had created a bottleneck, but the fabricator reported the project remained on track. A delivery date had not been confirmed.
Exchange Street planning continues
The authority also considered coordinating waterfront improvements with a nearby condominium construction project and a planned redesign of the adjacent park area.
Ideas included widening an approximately 5-foot walkway to about 8 feet, adding curves and installing new electrical pedestals, water lines and electrical service.
Staff said parks officials were considering landscaping improvements to create a more inviting picnic area.
Yancar said the Parks Board was targeting a Nov. 7 start or shortly afterward, once the condominium docks and boats were removed. The Port Authority’s work remained in the planning stage.
Yancar raised concerns about protecting existing underground utilities from heavy equipment. Responsibilities for portions of the work, including walkway replacement, remained unresolved.
The authority’s share could cost roughly $22,000 to $25,000, Yancar said, although the scope would depend on the park design.
Board members supported continued staff planning and coordination but made no funding commitment and took no formal vote on the project.
Revenue slightly lower
Combined year-to-date revenue from Water Works Marina, McGarvey’s Landing and the South Street Ramp totaled about $112,000, down approximately $2,800, or 2.45%, from the comparable period in 2025.
McGarvey’s revenue was down about 14.5% from the previous year, although it remained above its three-year average. Staff discussed weather’s effect on boating traffic.
An electrical connection problem at McGarvey’s had been repaired, with no further complaints reported. Staff said they did not believe electrical issues accounted for the revenue decline.
Marina internet service also had improved, although a decision on whether the city would assume responsibility for the fiber connection remained pending.
Following an executive session to discuss a public employee’s employment and compensation, the board voted unanimously to approve $15 hourly pay for new dockmasters Paul Strama and Bryce Martin.